LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team opened the Disney Division II Tip-Off Classic with a thrilling 99-95 overtime victory over Saint Martin's University Friday afternoon at the Milk House in Disney's Wide World of Sports. The Screaming Eagles open the season with a win for the 23rd straight year.

In a game of swings from one team to the other, it was the Eagles' final run in overtime that earned them the victory. USI (1-0) outscored Saint Martin's, 13-9, in the extra period after allowing the Saint (0-1) to take a 94-90 lead.

To get to overtime, the Eagles had to come back from an 11-point second half deficit, 45-34, and a five-point margin, 86-81, with under a minute to play. USI senior guard Kenny Love (South Bend, Indiana) hit a three-pointer with 42 second left in regulation to pull the Eagles to within two, 86-84, followed by junior guard Marvin Gray (Bahamas) stealing the ball and driving in for a tying lay-up with 38 seconds left.

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The Saints had the advantage early, jumping out to a 9-0 lead in the opening minutes. The Eagles battled back and took their first lead of the game, 13-12, on a pair of free throws by junior forward/center George Cunningham (San Diego, California).

The team's would trade leads for the remainder of the first half before Saint Martin's took a six-point lead, 40-36, into the intermission.

Saint Martin's extended their halftime lead to 11 points to start the second half when USI put together a 33-15 run to take a 67-60 lead with 9:47 left. The Saints responded with a 16-4 run and retook the lead 76-71 with 5:41 to play.

USI also was led statistically by Russ, who had six rebounds; Bradshaw, who blocked five shots; and Gray, who dished out eight assists.

The Eagles resume Tip-Off Classic action Saturday at 1:30 p.m. when they play eighth-ranked Minnesota State University. Minnesota State started its season by playing third-ranked Bentley University Friday afternoon. Score was unavailable at press time.